Apparatus for producing shirred materials



Feb. 14, 1939. c. SEAMAN APPARATUS FOR FRODUC I NG SHIRRED MATE-R IAL S Filed Jan. 4, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 I-Ii mm I 1 INVENTOR.

RA E5 SEAMAN ATTORNEY.

Feb. 14, 1939 c SEAMAN 2,147,462

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SHIRRED MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

t/V ARLES SEAMAN BY ATTORNEY.

Feb. 14, 1939. c, SEAMAN 2,147,462

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SHYIRRED MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 14, 1939. c. SEAMAN 2,147,462

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SHIRRED MATERIALS Filed Jan. 4, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 a (LFIUFHULQH) 1 m $1 H HMf 5W INVENTOR. RLES SEAMAN ATTORNEY.

Figure 14 is an end view of the material shown presser foot generally indicated by the reference 45 Patented Feb. 14, 193 2,147,462

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SHIRRED MATERIALS Charles Seaman, Jamaica Estates, N. Y.

Application January 4, 1938, Serial No. 183,281

23 Claims. (01. 112-2) This invention relates to a multiple-needle (to which the shirring material is to be stitched), sewing machine, and more particularly to an atare fed to a plurality of needles, such as are used tachment to be applied to a multiple-needle sewing in a multiple-needle sewing machine, for stitchmachine for making a highly ornamental shirred ing and are stitched, the needles penetrating the material. materials at each bottom bend between the ridges The nature and objects of the invention will and furrows. Prior to the stitching operation, become clear and apparent from the following the materials are shirred, with the result that description, appended claims, and accompanying a puffed Shirred material is produceddrawings forming a part of this specification and During e feeding of t e Shirrlng materiel to wherein: the needles for stitching and during the shirring 1 Figure 1 is a top plan view of the attachment thereof as well as during the stitching operation, as applied to the base of a multiple-needle sewthe shirring material is maintained so that it ing machine head, with parts broken away to retains the alternate ridges and furrows imparted more ,clearly illustrate the details of construc thereto. In one sp embodiment of the tion; vention, this is secured by the use of a new and 15 Figure 2 is a side elevation of a multiple-needle ovel "p feet. particularly the tee thereof sewing machine having applied thereto the athereinafter e fu y ned. e p e e tachment constituting one phase of the invene t s a so designed to v the different rates tion; of feed of the materials to and from the needles Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of w y t shirring is s ur d- 20 Figure 1; I The means for imparting alternate ridges and Figure 4 is a section taken on th line 4-4 f furrows to the shirring material, is attached, pref- Figure 3; erably adjustably, to the machine. One part Figure 5 is a section taken n th li 5 5 of thereof is also secured to the toe of the presser ure foot whereby, upon adjustment of the presser 25 Figure 6 is a top plan view with various parts foot, it likewise is adjusted. In one form of the removed and showing the details of construction invention, the means for impart alternate and the location of one of the members of the ridges and furrows to the shirring material is an attachment with respect to the base plate, feed approp te y S aped Passage Guides are dogs and needle apertures; vided to aid and direct the material as it leaves Figure 7 is a section taken on the line I-I of the passage to the desired position with respect Figure 1; to the toe of the presser foot.

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Referring now to the drawings wherein an illus- Figure 1; trative apparatus for securing the objects of 33 Figure 9 is a top plan view of the presser foot the invention is shown and wherein like refertoe; ence numerals designate like parts, the reference Figure 10 is a plan view of the bottom of the numeral I designates a multiple-needle sewing presser foot toe; machine head supporting a needle bar 2 provided Figure 11 is a topplan view of one form of with a needle carrier? in which a plurality of shirred material produced by the invention; needles 3 are mounted. The needle bar 2 is ac- Figure 12 is an end view of the material shown tuated (vertically reciprocated) in any suitable in Figure 11; manner by a pulley 4 which, in turn, is driven Figure 13 is a top plan view of another form of in any well known manner. The head I is also shirred material produced by this invention; provided with a presser foot bar 5 carrying a in Figure 13; numeral 6 and hereinafter more fully described. Figure 15 is a top plan view of still another The head I is also provided with the usual means form of shirred material produced by this invenfor vertically adjusting the presser foot bar and tion; and also with a manually actuated handle or lever 59 Figure 16 is an end viewof the material shown (not shown) of the usual type for raising and in Figure 15. lowering the presser foot.

In accordance with the principles of this in- Th machine also includes a, work-feeding vention, alternate ridges and furrows are formed mechanism which comprises a plurality of spaced in a shirring material and. the shirring material feed dogs I positioned with respect to the presser in this condition, together with a base material foot 6 as hereafter explained and extending 55 through slots 8 in the base plate I of the machine. The feed dogs 1 are operated and actuated in the usual well-known manner.

Means are also provided to guide the threads (not shown) from their source of supply to the respective needles. In-the form shown, this is accomplished by a thread guide ll pivotally mounted on the needle bar 2 and' the thread guide H secured to the machine head intermediate the guide It and the needles 3. Each of the guides l0 and i I is provided with a plurality of apertures i2, the number of which corresponds to the number of needles 3 that the machine is designed for, so that a thread for each needle can be fed thereto.

The presser foot generally indicated by the reference numeral 3 comprises a body member l3 and a toe I4. The body member l3 comprises a plate formed with slots I! through which the needles 3 pass in the course of the stitching operation. The body member I3 is also provided with a grooved block II which is slidably and adjustably mounted on the presser foot bar 5. By means of a set screw I1, the presser foot 6 is secured tothe pressor foot bar 5. By this.

construction, the presser foot 5 is capable of adjustment.

The longitudinal edges of the body member I3 of the presser foot 3 are positioned beneath and cooperate with overhanging flanges ll of the spaced arms I! of the toe I. By means of set screws 20, the body member I3 is secured to the arms It, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings. By this construction, the body member [3 can be moved and adjusted to the desired position on the arms I3, thereby properly positioning the slots I5 thereof with respect to the needles 3. This construction also permits adjustment of the body member 13 with respect to the toe ll.

The details of construction of the presser foot toe H are generally indicated in Figures 4, 9 and 10. Between the forward ends of the spaced arms l9 there is secured a block 2|, which on the under surface thereof is formed with alternate curved grooves 22 and ridges 23 for reasons which will become apparent. Each of the ridges 23 at its forward end is solid and beveled orcurved so as to permit easy movement of the material therein or thereunder. The rear portion of each of the ridges 23 is provided with a plurality of slots 24 through eachof which a needle 3 passes in the stitching operation. It is to be noted that the members adjacent the slots 24 are beveled. This is for the purpose of permitting a certain amount of play in the needles during the stitching operation. The lower surfaces of the ridges 23 are substantially flat and serve to press the material fed thereunder into position for feeding by the feed dogs 1. It is further to be noted that each i'eed dog I is positioned intermediate the slots 24 and cooperates with the front portion of the ridges 23 and the parts 24 intermediate the slots 24 as well as the body member i3.

The toe I4 is positioned and adjusted in the machine so that the needles 3 will pass through the slots 24 and thus stitch the goods prior to leaving the toe M. This is shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the toe ll of the presser foot is in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member i3. Consequently the goods under the toe I4 is fed to stitching position at a greater speed than the goods is withdrawn under the body member I3, with the result that the goods is shirred prior to stitching. The same results may be secured by having the dogs 1 cooperate only with the toe I4.

It is clear that the alternate ridges and furrows formed in the shirring material are substantially retained by the toe I4 during the feeding thereof as well as during the shirring and the stitching operations.

In order to present the material in proper condition to the presser foot and thence to the path of the needles, there is provided a mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 25 which is designed and constructed to form corrugations (furrows and ridges) in the shirring material fed therethrough. As clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, the mechanism 25 comprises a lower member 26 and an upper member 21 forming a passage 25' therebetween which imparts the furrows and ridges to the shirring material fed therethrough.

The lower member 25 is adjustably mounted on the base of the machine in any suitable manner. In the form shown, the plate 26 is secured to the base by means of screws 29 cooperating with slots 30 formed in said plate.

The top surface of the plate 28 is provided with alternate grooves 3| and ribs 32. The ribs 32, as shown in Figure 6, terminate in spaced pins 33 which extend in the grooves 22 of the toe H (see Figure 4) and aid in guiding the shirring material from the passage 25' to the presser foot toe it. As shown in Figures 2, 6, 7

and 8,-the ribs 32 flare outwardly from the pins 33 to the forward end thereof. The'plate 26 is also provided with a groove 34 in the bottom thereof which, together with the base of the machine, constitutes a passage through which the base material to which the shirring is to be stitched is fed to the needles. .It is to be noted that the base material is fed in a fiat condition beneath the shirring material to the presser foot toe l4. During the feeding thereof under the toe I4 the base material is also shirred.

The top plate 21 is on its under surface also provided with alternate grooves 35 and ribs 36.

i The ribs 35 of the plate 21 are disposed in the grooves 3| of the plate 26, and the grooves 35 rangement the plates 25 and 21 produce the corrugated passage 25' (see Figures 2, '1 and 8) whereby material fed therethrough is given a corresponding shape. It is to be noted that the grooves 35 and ribs 36 of the top member 21 terminate adjacent the edge 21 of the plate 21.

In the form shown, the exit side of the passage 25' is positioned in close proximity to the presser foot toe I4. Specifically, the presser foot toe I4 is disposed with respect to the exit of passage 25' so that a pin 33 of the plate 28 extends centrally in a corresponding groove 22 of the toe ll. Each pin 33 is of a length so that it terminates just prior to the end of the groove 22. The pins 33 serve to maintain the ridges in the shirring material as it is being fed to the needles (including the shirring operation) and during the stitching operation. a

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the toe ll of the presser foot 6 is secured to the plate 21. Thus, the passage 25 is directly controlled by the presser foot. Upward and downward movement of the presser foot 8, or even the toe H thereof, will cause corresponding upward and downward movement of the plate 21. With the foregoing in view, the upper surface of the plate 21 is provided with a forwardly projecting airmen flange Al which extends over onto the block if of the toe M, and the two are secured thereto by means of screws 38 passing through aligned holes in said flange and block.

Though in the preferred form of the invention, the toe [It substantially retains the ridges and furrows (imparted to the shirring material by passage thereof through the passage It) during the feeding thereof to the needles and during the stitching operation, separate means may be used to perform each of these functions.

In operation, after the presser foot it has been adjusted as necessary, the shirring material is fed into and through the passage it formed by the plates ft and fl whereby it is provided with alternate ridges and furrows. At the same time a base material to which the shirring material is to be stitched is fed through the groove It and beneath the presser foot toe it. 'Ihe shirring material in its corrugated state and guided by the pins 33 is fed to the toe it and on top of the base material. By virtue of the pins it and the deta ls of construction of the toe it, the ridges of the corrugations in the material are fed into the grooves 22 of the toe, and the furrows of the corrugated shirring material are fed underneath the flat ridges 23 of the toe. The feed dogs I! feed the materials inposition for stitching by the needles 3. Due to the relationship of the body member it and the toe it with respect to the feed dogs I, as previously explained, the materials are shirred and in this condition fed to the needles for stitching. As shown in Figure 3, the needles A stitch the materials while they are still in cooperative relationship with the toe. In other words, the stitching is effected while the shirring material is maintained in substantially the cor rugated form imparted to it by the passage 25' and the shirring given to it. Each needle passes through the slots 2t and stitches the materials at points immediately therebeneath. In other words, each needle stitches the materials at approximately'a bottom bend between a ridge and a furrow of the shirring material. The ridges of the corrugated shirring material constitute a puffed shirring, and the furrows produce a flat shirring in the final product. The stitches are at substantially the bend or fold between the pulled and flat shirrings.

Due to the shirring operation, an excess of shirring material is provided in the ridge portion of the shirring material which is disposed in the grooves 22 of the toe it. After the material is stitched as aforementioned and leaves the machine, the excess material in the ridges assumes a more or less ornamental appearance, the ornamental appearance depending upon the adjustment of the various parts of the apparatus as well as upon the size of the stitch.

The base material to which the shirring ma terial is stitched serves to retain the puffed shirring and'the flat shirring in place.

In the form shown, the apparatus produces a product having four puffed shirrings and three fiat shirrings arranged alternately and extending throughout the length thereof. Eight rows of stitches are employed, with the result that an eight-needle machine is used. Any number of alternate pufied and flat shirrings may be made by utilizing an appropriate mechanism 25, p'resser foot toe it and number of needles. Likewise, by appropriate widths of the elements aforementioned and spacing between the needles, different widths of puffed and flat shirrings may be secured.

The final appearance of the puffed shirring is also dependent upon the type of material employed therefor. Even with the same material, different appearances of the puffed shirring are secured if the shirring material is bias-cut, crosscut or cut lengthwise.

Several illustrative embodiments of shirred materials produced in accordance with this invention are shown in Figures 11 to 16 inclusive. As previously explained, the product comprises a base of any suitable material It which is shirred and secured by stitches All to the shirred material, generally indicated by the reference numeral ti. The shirred material comprises alternate puffed shirrings AI and flat shirrings At. It is to be noted that the stitches M are adjacent the bends or folds between the puffed and flat shirrings.

When the shirring material is bias-cut, the

puffed shirring will assume a configuration or form such as shown in Figure 11.

, When the shirring material is cross-cut, the pufled shirring assumes substantially the shape and form shown in Figure 13.

When the shirring material is cut lengthwise, the puffed shirring assumes substantially the form and shape shown in Figure 15.

The articles disclosed in Figures 11-16 of the drawings form the subject-matter of application Serial Number 183,282. filed January 4, 1938.

Since it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the above description without departing from the nature or spirit thereof, this invention is not restricted thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a multiple-needle sewing machine, means to form alternate ridges and furrows in a shirring material, feed dogs to feed said shirring material and a base material to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, means cooperating with said feed dogs to feed said materials to the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched materials are fed from said needles, thereby shirring said materials prior to stitching, means to substantially maintain said ridges and furrows in the said shirring material during feeding thereof to the needles and during stitching, and means to position the materials for stitching thereof at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows.

2. In a multiple-needle sewing machine, means to form alternate ridges and furrows in a shirring material, feed dogs to feed said shirring'material and a base material to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, means cooperating with said feed dogs to shir said materials prior to stitching, means to substantially maintain said ridges and furrows in the said shirring material during feeding thereof to the needles and during stitching, and means to position the materials for stitching thereof at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows.

3. In a multiple-needle sewing machine, means to form alternate ridges and furrows in a shirring material, feed dogs to feed said shirring material and a base material to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, a presser foot cooperating with said feed dogs to feed said materials to. the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched materials are fed from said needles, said presser foot having means to substantially maintain said ridges and furrows in the said shirring material during feedthereof at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows.

4. In a multiple-needle sewing machine, means to form alternate ridges and furrows in a shirring material, feed dogs to feed said shirring material and a base material to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, a presser foot cooperating with said feed dogs, said presser foot having its toe disposed in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof whereby the said materials are fed to the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched materials are fed from said needles, thereby shirring said materials prior to stitching, said toe having means to substantially maintain said ridges and furrows in the said shirring material during feeding thereof to the needles and during stitching, and means to position the materials for stitching thereof at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows.

5. In a multiple-needle sewing machine, means to form alternate ridges and furrows in a shirring material, feed dogs to feed said shirring material and a base material to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, a presser foot cooperating with said feed dogs, said presser foot having its toe disposed in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the Lady member thereof whereby the said materials are fed to the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched materials are fed from said needles, thereby shirring said materials prior to stitching, said presser foot being mounted in the machine to permit the needles to stitch said materials while they are still in cooperative relationship with the toe thereof, said toe having means to substantially maintain said ridges and furrows in the said shirring material during feeding thereof to the needles and during stitching, and means to position the materials for stitching thereof at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows.

6. In a'multiple-needle sewing machine, means to form alternate ridges and furrows in a shirring materiaL'feed dogs to feed said shirring material and a base material'to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, a presser foot cooperating with said feed dogs, said presser foot having its toe disposed in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof whereby said materials are fed to the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched materials are fed from said needles, thereby shirring said materials prior to stitching, said toe having alternate ridges and grooves cooperating with the furrows and ridges respectively in the said shirring material during at least the feeding thereof to the needles and during stitching, said presser foot being mounted in said machine to permit stitching of said materials at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows in said shirring material while still in cooperation with said toe.

'7. In a multiple-needle sewing machine, means to form alternate ridges and furrows in a shir- .,ring material, feed dogs to feed said shirring mathereby shirring said materials prior to stitching,

said toe having alternate ridges and grooves cooperating with the furrows and ridges respectively in the said shirring material during at least the feeding thereof to the needles and during stitching, means to guide the shirring material with the ridges and furrows therein into proper position with respect to the toe, said presser foot being mounted insaid machine to permit stitching of said materials at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows in said shirring material while still in cooperation with said toe.

8. In a multiple-needle sewing machine, a pair of plates each of which is provided with alternate ribs and grooves, said plates being disposed with respect to each other so that the grooves and ribs of one plate cooperate with the ribs and grooves respectively of the other and provide a passage therebetween through which a shirring material is fed and whereby alternate ridges and furrows are formed in said shirring material, feed dogs to feed said shirring material and a base material to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, and a presser foot cooperating with said feed dogs, said presser foot having its toe disposed in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof, whereby the said materials are fed to the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched materials are fed from said 0 of plates each of which is provided with alternate ribs and grooves, said plates being disposed with respect to each other so that the grooves and ribs of one plate cooperate with the ribs and grooves respectively of the other and provide a passage therebetween through which a shirring material is fed'and whereby alternate ridges and furrows are formed in said shirring material, feed dogs to feed said shirring material and a base material to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, and a presser foot cooperating with said feed dogs, said presser foot having its toe disposed in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof, whereby the said materials are fed to the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched materials are fed from said needles, thereby shirring said materials prior to stitching, said toe having alternate ridges and grooves and arranged to receive the furrows and ridges respectively in the said shirring material as it comes from said passage and cooperate therewith during at least the feeding thereof to the needles and during stitching, said presser foot being mounted in said.machine to permit stitching of said materials at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows in said shirring material while still in cooperation with said toe.

10. In a multiple-needle sewing machine, a pair of plates each of which is provided with alternate ribs and grooves, said plates being disposed in superposed relationship so that the grooves and ribs of one plate cooperate with the ribs and grooves respectively of the other and provide a passage therebetween through which a shirring material is fed and whereby alternate ridges and furrows are formed in said shirring material, feed dogs to feed said shirring material, and a base material to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, and a presser foot cooperating with said feed dogs, said presser foot having its toe disposed in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof, whereby the said materials are fed to the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched materials are fed from said needles, thereby shirring said materials prior to stitching, said toe being secured to the top plate and having alternate ridges and grooves in close proximity to the exit of said passage, said toe maintaining the furrows and ridges respectively in the said shirring material during at least the feeding thereof to the needles and during stitching, said presser foot being mounted in said machine to permit stitching of said materials at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows in said shirring material while still in cooperation with said toe.

11. In a multiple-needle sewing machine, a pair of plates each of which is provided with alternate ribs and grooves, said plates being disposed with respect to each other so that the grooves and ribs of one plate cooperate with the ribs and grooves respectively of the other and provide a passage therebetween through which a shirring material is fed and "whereby alternate ridges and furrows are formed in said shirring. material, feed dogs to feed said shirring material and a base material to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, and an adjustable presser foot cooperating with said feed dogs, said presser foot having its toe disposed in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof, whereby the said materials are fed to the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched materials are fed from said needles, thereby shirring said materials prior to stitching, said toe being secured to the top plate and having alternate ridges and grooves positioned adjacent the exit end of said passage to receive the furrows and ridges respectively in the said shirring material as it comes from said passage and cooperate therewith during at least the feeding thereof to the needles and during stitching, said presser foot being mounted in said machine to permit stitching of said materials at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows in said shirring material while still in cooperation with said toe.

12. In a multiple-needle sewing machine, a pair of plates each of which is provided with alternate ribs and grooves, said plates being in superposed relationship so that the grooves and ribs of one plate cooperate with the ribs and grooves respectively of the other and provide a passage therebetween through which a shirring material A is fed and whereby alternate ridges and furrows are formed in said shirring material, the ribs of the lower plate terminating in projecting pins, feed dogs to feed said shirring material and a base material to which said shirring material is to be stitched through the machine, and a presser foot cooperating with said feed dogs, said presser foot having its toe. disposed in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof, whereby the said materials are fed to the needles for stiching at a greater speed than the stitched materials are fed from said needles, thereby shirring said materials prior to stiching, said toe having alternate ridges and grooves and secured to the top plate so that the said projecting pins extend into said toe grooves, said ridges and grooves of said toe cooperating with the furrows and ridges respectively in the said shirring material during at least the feeding thereof to the needles and during stitching, said presser foot being mounted in said machine to permit stitching of said materials at approximately each lower bend between said ridges and furrows in said shirring material while still in cooperation with said toe.

13. An attachment for a multiple-needle sewing machine comprising means to impart alternate ridges and furrows to a material, means adapted to cooperate with the feed dogs of said sewing machine to feed said material to the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched material is fed from said needles, and means to substantially retain said ridges and furrows in said material during the feeding thereof to the needles of said machine and during the stitching operation.

14. An attachment for a multiple-needle sewing machine comprising means to impart alternate ridges and furrows to a material, and a presser foot adapted to cooperate with the feed dogs of said sewing machine to feed said material to the needles for stitching at a greater speed than the stitched material is fed away from said needles, said presser foot having a toe provided with alternate grooves and ridges to cooperate with said ridges and furrows respectively and substantially retain the general shape thereof during the feeding thereof to the needles of the machine and during the stitching thereof.

l5. An attachment for a multiple-needle sevving machine comprising means to impart alternate ridges and furrows to a material, and a presser foot having a toe adapted to be positioned in closer proximity to the feed dogs of the machine than the body member thereof, said toe being provided with alternate grooves and ridges to cooperate with the ridges and furrows respectively in said material and retain the general shape thereof during the feeding thereof to the needles of the machine and during the stitching operation.

16. An attachment for a multiple-needle sewing machine comprising means to impart alternate ridges and furrows to a material, and a presser foot having a toe adapted to be positioned in closer proximity to the feed dogs of the machine than the body member thereof, said toe being'provided with alternate grooves and ridges to cooperate with the ridges and furrows respectively in said material and retain the general shape thereof during the feeding thereof to the needles of the machine and during the stitching operation, said presser foot being adapted to be positioned in the machine to permit the needles to stitch the material while it is in cooperative relationship with said toe.

17. An attachment for a multiple-needle sewing machine comprising means having a passage which imparts alternate ridges and furrows to a material fed therethrough, and a presser foot having a toe adapted to be positioned in closer proximity to the feed dogs of the machine than the body member thereof, said toe having alternate grooves and ridges to cooperate with the ridges and furrows respectively in said material and retain the general shape thereof during the feeding thereof to the needles and during the rows respectively in said material and retain the general shape thereof during the feeding thereof to the needles and during the stitching operation, said toe being disposed adjacent the exit end .of the said passage, and means cooperating with said passage and toe to aid in guiding the material from said passage to the desired position on said toe.

19. An attachment for a multiple-needle sewing machine comprising a pair of plates in superposed relationship and having a passage therebetween which imparts alternate ridges and furrows to a material fed therethrough, and a presser foot having atoe adapted to be positioned in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof, said toe having alternate ridges and grooves and secured to one of said plates whereby the material leaving said passage will pass to said toe.

20. An attachment for a multiple-needle sewing machine comprising a pair of plates in superposed relationship and having a passagetherebetween which imparts alternate ridges and furrows to a material fed therethrough, a presser foot having a toe adapted to be positioned in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof, said toe having alternate ridges and grooves and secured to one of said plates whereby the material leaving said passage will pass to said toe, and means carried by one of said plates and cooperating with said toe to aid mem in guiding the material from said passage to said toe.

21. An' attachment for a multiple-needle sewing machine comprising a pair of plates in superposed relationship and having a passage therebetween which imparts alternate ridges and furrows to a material fed therethrough, a presser foot having a toe adapted to be positioned in closer roximity to the feed dogs than the body thereof, said toe having alternate ridges and grooves and secured to one of said plates whereby the material leaving said passage will pass to said toe, and pins carried by one of said plates and extending into the grooves of said toe.

22. An attachment for a multiple-needle sewing machine comprising a pair of plates in superposed relationship and having a passage therebetween which imparts alternate ridges and furrows to a material fed therethrough, and a presser foot ha ng a toe adapted to be positioned in closer pro mity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof, said toe having alternate ridges and grooves and secured to one of said plates whereby the material leaving said passage will pass to said toe, said ridges being slotted adjacent each side thereof to permit passage of the needles therethrough.

23. An attachment for a multiple-needle sewing machine comprising a pair ofplates in superposed relationship and having a passage therebetween which imparts alternate ridges and furrows to a material fed therethrough, a presser foot having a toe adapted to be positioned in closer proximity to the feed dogs than the body member thereof, and means to adjust said body member and toe relative to each other, said toe having alternate ridges and grooves and secured to one of said plates whereby the material leaving said passage will pass to said toe.

CHARLES SEAMAN. 

